Page 104 of Forever Player

“I love her, but I’m scared to say it. She’s like the female version of me,” I scoff. “A skittish cat when it comes to relationships.”

“I don’t think you’re a skittish cat anymore. I think it was just about you finding the right woman,” she says.

“True, but I also learned a lot with Dad dying. I want my life to be meaningful. I want people who are important to me to be close. I want to take care of Willow and be with her always.”

Mom sighs and I hear the smile in her tone.

“I want that for you too. If she is nervous, for whatever reason, then take things slow. No need to rush. Look at me and Will.” She laughs.

“Mom, I’m not waiting two decades to marry Willow. I’d lose my mind. I want to make her mine,” I declare.

Mom squeals. “You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear you speak this way. I think Willow has strong feelings for you too. She just needs reassurance.”

“I’m working on that.”

“Good, so I’m selling the house, and we’ll talk soon. Good luck with Willow.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I say, and we end the call.

That evening Willow walks in exhausted with Maylee in her arms.

“How are my girls doing?” I ask, coming to the door.

“Good,” she sighs. I take Maylee from her arms and walk her over to the couch to take off her snowsuit.

Willow unloads and runs off to the bathroom. When she returns, she looks a little more relaxed.

“You’re walking without crutches,” she observes.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” I admit.

“That’s great news,” Willow says.

“Come here, beautiful,” I say, opening my arms.

I wrap an arm around her and kiss her.

When she pulls back, she has a serious look on her face. “Silas has been hitting on me for a while, and I never thought anything of it because I don’t have those kinds of feelings for him. But today he rubbed my shoulder, and it didn’t feel like a professional gesture, so I told him I wasn’t comfortable with him physically touching me. I told him we are in a serious relationship and you’re Maylee’s father.”

“Thank you,” I say and when she looks back into my eyes, I see how much she cares. She’s in deep too.

“I have something to show you,” I say.

“Okay.” She watches me like she isn’t following. I pick up Maylee and hold her on my hip. Then I slip on a pair of slides. “Come.”

“Come?” Willow repeats.

“Just put on your slides. We aren’t going outside.”

She does as I ask, and we head out to the elevators. I have the fob for the new car in my pocket since it was dropped off a couple of hours ago.

“Why are we headed to the parking garage?” Willow asks once we are on the elevator.

“Because I want to show you something.”

“In the parking garage?” she clarifies.

“Yes.”

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